| Team Names | 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | OT | T |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
 KSU 8-2 | 7 | 17 | 14 | 7 | 0 | 45 |
 BEN 9-1 | 14 | 0 | 7 | 24 | 7 | 52 |
COLUMBIA, S.C. — Benedict College delivered an unforgettable championship performance Saturday, overcoming a 24-point deficit, surviving a dramatic finish to regulation and defeating Kentucky State 52-45 in overtime to claim the 2026 Southern Intercollegiate Athletic Conference (SIAC) Football Championship.
In a game filled with momentum swings, explosive plays and late-game drama, the Tigers refused to surrender despite trailing 38-14 in the third quarter.
Benedict scored 31 points over the remainder of regulation to force overtime, then connected on the game-winning touchdown in the extra period to complete one of the most remarkable comebacks of the season.
The victory gives Benedict its third SIAC football championship and its first conference title since 2023.
Kentucky State Takes Control
Benedict initially looked poised to control the championship game.
Kentucky State struck first when Tristan Thomas scored on a 17-yard rushing touchdown with 8:14 remaining in the opening quarter.
The Tigers responded immediately. Glenn Foreman connected with TJ Hatch for a spectacular 73-yard touchdown, tying the game at 7-7.
Foreman then found Zackery Watkins for a 9-yard touchdown, giving Benedict a 14-7 advantage.
However, Kentucky State gradually seized control.
Juan Gainous connected with Jaden Hale on a 60-yard touchdown pass early in the second quarter to even the score at 14-14. Thomas added his second rushing touchdown of the afternoon, a 7-yard run, to put the Thorobreds ahead 21-14.
Leland Gantz extended the advantage with a 35-yard field goal just seven seconds before halftime, sending Kentucky State into the break with a 24-14 lead.
The Thorobreds continued their offensive surge in the third quarter.
Zaiden Foster scored on a 5-yard run before Gainous connected with Joshua Thomas Jr. for a 24-yard touchdown reception.
Suddenly, Kentucky State had a commanding 38-14 lead with 6:30 remaining in the third quarter.
Benedict Begins Its Incredible Comeback
With its championship hopes hanging in the balance, Benedict began chipping away at the deficit.
A’chean Durant scored on a 4-yard touchdown run with 2:08 remaining in the third quarter, cutting Kentucky State’s lead to 38-21.
Zane Spires opened the fourth-quarter scoring with a 37-yard field goal, making it 38-24.
Then came one of the game’s biggest momentum-changing plays.
JaVon Bowser returned a Kentucky State punt 35 yards for a touchdown with 8:49 remaining, bringing Benedict within seven points at 38-31.
The Tigers continued to apply pressure.
Foreman connected with Demetris McKelvey on a 13-yard touchdown pass with 6:17 remaining, completing Benedict’s comeback from a 24-point deficit and tying the championship game at 38-38.
Kentucky State refused to go away quietly.
Just 25 seconds after Benedict tied the game, Thomas broke loose for an electrifying 82-yard touchdown run. Gantz converted the extra point, putting the Thorobreds back in front 45-38.
But Benedict had one more response.
Christopher Johnson powered into the end zone on a 2-yard touchdown run with 3:15 remaining. Spires converted the extra point, tying the game at 45-45.
Neither team had managed to put the other away.
Kentucky State Nearly Wins It in Regulation
The closing seconds produced another stunning twist.
Kentucky State moved into position to potentially win the championship in regulation, getting the football to the Benedict 4-yard line with just nine seconds remaining.
The Thorobreds appeared to have an opportunity to kick a potential game-winning field goal and avoid overtime.
However, a costly delay-of-game penalty resulted in a 10-second runoff, ending regulation before Kentucky State could attempt the kick.
Instead of celebrating a last-second championship victory, the Thorobreds were forced to watch the game head into overtime.
It was a heartbreaking turn of events for Kentucky State and another opportunity for Benedict to complete its comeback.
Overtime: Benedict Delivers the Knockout Blow
Benedict wasted no time taking advantage of its opportunity in overtime.
On the Tigers’ first possession, Foreman connected with McKelvey for a 25-yard touchdown pass.
Spires converted the extra point, giving Benedict a 52-45 advantage.
Kentucky State had one final opportunity to answer, but Benedict’s defense came through when it mattered most, stopping the Thorobreds on four consecutive pass attempts to secure the championship.
The Tigers had completed the comeback.
Complete Scoring Summary
| 7 – 08:14 – 1st | Thomas,Tristan rush middle for 17 yards to the BEN00, TOUCHDOWN. (Gantz,Leland kick attempt good.)KENTUCKY ST. drive 4 plays 60 yards 2:24 | |
| 7 – 77:35 – 1st | Foreman,Glenn middle pass complete to Hatch,TJ for 73 yards to the KSU00, TOUCHDOWN. (Spires,Zane kick attempt good.)BENEDICT drive 2 plays 75 yards 0:39 |
| 7 – 142:41 – 1st | Foreman,Glenn middle pass complete to Watkins,Zackery for 9 yards to the KSU00, TOUCHDOWN. (Spires,Zane kick attempt good.)BENEDICT drive 6 plays 31 yards 1:56 |
| 14 – 1413:10 – 2nd | Gainous,Juan right pass complete to Hale,Jaden for 60 yards to the BEN00, TOUCHDOWN. (Gantz,Leland kick attempt good.)KENTUCKY ST. drive 1 plays 60 yards 0:10 |
| 21 – 1410:41 – 2nd | Thomas,Tristan rush middle for 7 yards to the BEN00, TOUCHDOWN. (Gantz,Leland kick attempt good.)KENTUCKY ST. drive 3 plays 15 yards 0:44 |
| 24 – 140:07 – 2nd | Gantz,Leland field goal attempt from 35 GOOD.KENTUCKY ST. drive 17 plays 97 yards 7:29 |
| 31 – 1411:17 – 3rd | Foster,Zaiden rush middle for 5 yards to the BEN00, TOUCHDOWN. (Gantz,Leland kick attempt good.)KENTUCKY ST. drive 6 plays 39 yards 3:34 |
| 38 – 146:30 – 3rd | Gainous,Juan middle pass complete to Thomas Jr.,Joshua for 24 yards to the BEN00, TOUCHDOWN. (Gantz,Leland kick attempt good.)KENTUCKY ST. drive 4 plays 39 yards 2:00 |
| 38 – 212:08 – 3rd | Durant,A’chean rush middle for 4 yards to the KSU00, TOUCHDOWN. (Spires,Zane kick attempt good.)BENEDICT drive 14 plays 78 yards 4:14 |
| 38 – 2410:43 – 4th | Spires,Zane field goal attempt from 37 GOOD.BENEDICT drive 10 plays 58 yards 3:20 |
| 38 – 318:49 – 4th | punt 7 yards to the KSU35, TOUCHDOWN. (Spires,Zane kick attempt good.)KENTUCKY ST. drive 3 plays 75 yards 1:54 |
| 38 – 386:17 – 4th | Foreman,Glenn right pass complete to McKelvey,Demetris for 13 yards to the KSU00, TOUCHDOWN. (Spires,Zane kick attempt good.)BENEDICT drive 5 plays 33 yards 2:21 |
| 45 – 385:52 – 4th | Thomas,Tristan rush middle for 82 yards to the BEN00, TOUCHDOWN. (Gantz,Leland kick attempt good.)KENTUCKY ST. drive 1 plays 82 yards 0:12 |
| 45 – 453:15 – 4th | Johnson,Christopher rush middle for 2 yards to the KSU00, TOUCHDOWN. (Spires,Zane kick attempt good.)BENEDICT drive 7 plays 72 yards 2:29 |
| 45 – 52– | Foreman,Glenn right pass complete to McKelvey,Demetris for 25 yards to the KSU00, TOUCHDOWN. (Spires,Zane kick attempt good.)BENEDICT drive 1 plays 25 yards 15:00 |
Game Highlights and Key Performances
Benedict College
- Glenn Foreman: Four touchdown passes, including the game-winning overtime score.
- TJ Hatch: 73-yard touchdown reception.
- Demetris McKelvey: Two touchdown receptions, including the championship-winning score.
- JaVon Bowser: 35-yard punt return touchdown.
- A’chean Durant: Fourth-quarter comeback contribution with a rushing touchdown.
- Christopher Johnson: Game-tying touchdown with 3:15 remaining.
Kentucky State
- Tristan Thomas: Three rushing touchdowns, including an explosive 82-yard score.
- Juan Gainous: Two touchdown passes.
- Jaden Hale: 60-yard touchdown reception.
- Joshua Thomas Jr.: 24-yard touchdown reception.
- Zaiden Foster: Third-quarter rushing touchdown.
- Leland Gantz: 35-yard field goal.
What This Championship Means
Benedict College’s victory represents another major accomplishment for its football program.
The Tigers overcame a 24-point deficit, rallied from a late Kentucky State touchdown, survived a potential game-winning field goal opportunity and ultimately finished the job in overtime.
For Kentucky State, the defeat will be difficult to forget. The Thorobreds were just seconds away from potentially winning the championship in regulation before the costly penalty and runoff changed the ending.
But the afternoon belonged to Benedict.
Down 24. Tied at 45. Victorious at 52. Benedict College is the 2026 SIAC Football Champion!
